VCDS question

sidepod · Dec 10, 2023

I’m about to treat myself. Does anybody know if the license is locked to one particular laptop or can you swap it over from one to another?

sidepod · Dec 10, 2023

…….or or it web based, in which case it won’t matter?

yossarian · Dec 10, 2023

The dongle will be locked to x VINs. The software is freely transferable (and downloadable). I think it's a windows program, might run under wine.

Alan Andrews · Dec 10, 2023

License is linked to vehicle registration ID.

I have unlimited license, so can move around vehicles and manufacturers (VW, Audi, Skoda, Lamborghini) without issue.

This also means that if I ever come to sell, then it wil be easier to do so, and I'll get maximum resell value.

rod_vw · Dec 10, 2023

I can confirm what @Alan Andrews says. I've had Vagcom (now called VCDS) for well over fifteen years and a few years ago upgraded to Hex-v2 version and again as Alan says sold the previous unlimited VIN version to off-set the cost of the upgrade.
The license is applicable to the dongle only and owners register this with Ross-tech to access lifetime support. The software (App) can be loaded on any modern windows machine, VCDS Release 23.11 works with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 (both 32-bit and 64-bit) updates are regularly made available via the internet totally FOC, there are also occasional upgrades for the dongle itself.

sidepod · Dec 12, 2023

A bit of an update on this -

I spoke with a Ross Tech agent yesterday regarding the VIN count.

I was aiming at the three VIN option assuming it would be a “any three nominated” type of thing.
I have three VW vehicles so was hoping, if I sold one/bought another then I’d be able to swap a VIN etc.

Not so. Once a VIN is registered it’s embedded till the end of time. The only way around this is to upgrade to the 10 VIN or unlimited.

There isn’t a huge £ delta between 3 and 10 so not the end of the world.

rod_vw · Dec 12, 2023

@sidepod that is exactly what I have always understood hence the reason that I have the unlimited version.

To other readers who may be local enough to me (Shropshire), I am always willing to scan a vehicle for you if I'm able. I'm no expert with VCDS but always willing to do what I can.

PeteS · Dec 16, 2023

If you purchase the 3 VIN version then you can upgrade later to the 10VIN version and then the Unlimited version for a fee for each upgrade.
I think there are some things you can do that don’t use up a VIN and the Ross Tech website explains this. I think scanning for fault codes does not count.

18ME · Dec 16, 2023

I've got the unlimited Hex-Net which is the one that you can use wirelessly with an ipad or phone but I can't seem to do much using the phone so have to plug the laptop in anyway. I'm pretty much a novice though so I could be something wrong, I'll have to ask the Ross Tech forums.